SPAK arrests head of Tirana traffic police and two officers over bribery allegations
The head of Tirana’s traffic police, Roven Zeka, along with two subordinates, is under investigation for allegedly accepting a bribe of around €2,000 to favor a driver involved in a traffic accident that left two people injured.
Why is this important: The arrest of high-ranking police officers underlines the growing role of SPAK in investigating public sector conduct. While the investigation is ongoing and the accused deny wrongdoing, the case highlights the need for transparency and trust in institutions that directly interact with citizens.
Context: While SPAK has yet to issue an official statement, sources confirm that arrest warrants were issued for Zeka, Sokol Novaku (chief of judicial police officers), and officer Edison Tabaku. All three are accused of passive corruption committed in collaboration.
The officials allegedly took a bribe to influence the legal treatment of a female driver involved in an accident that resulted in two injuries. Despite the severity of the incident, the driver was processed while remaining free — a decision now under criminal scrutiny.
What’s next: Investigators have reportedly collected wiretapped communications as part of the evidence, which will be submitted to the court when SPAK files its formal request for security measures. For now, the arrests were carried out under prosecutorial authority without a court-issued detention ruling.
Despite the allegations, all three officers have denied any wrongdoing, claiming they followed standard legal procedures in handling the case.
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